"Find the word "dominant" in a dictionary, and you will see a definition that states something like "commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others."

If a photo was to be placed next to it, you might be surprised.

It could be a snapshot of the 2016 Steel Valley football team.

No team in state history accomplished what Steel Valley did last fall, and for that reason the WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A champion Ironmen are the Post-Gazette's boys team of the year for the 2016-17 school year."

Steel Valley has an excellent pitching staff, and that talented bunch has wasted little time flexing its muscles.

It's been a terrific start to the season for Steel Valley, the Post-Gazette's No. 1 team in WPIAL Class 3A. The Ironmen are 4-1 and the quality and depth of their pitching staff is the biggest reason why.

How dominant has the staff been? Well, consider this: They gave up a total of four hits over a three-game span. After senior Tanner Cannon picked up the win in a 12-1 season-opening win against Frazier, Steel Valley's stingy three-game streak began. First it was freshman Nick Harhai, who tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 in a 1-0 win against Mapletown. One game later, sophomore Andre Good and junior Trey Karfelt combined to throw a one-hitter in a 7-2 victory against Slippery Rock. Good earned the win. Junior Alex Ligeros and sophomore Mason Haley then got into the act. The two combined on a three-hitter in a 3-2 win against Keystone Oaks. Ligeros was the winning pitcher.

Steel Valley suffered its first loss, 8-3, against 6A Central Catholic last Thursday.

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team lost a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division contest to Gannon University, 84-55, Saturday afternoon at Morrow Field House.

Gannon (8-18, 8-12 PSAC West) put the game away early by outscoring Slippery Rock (9-16, 6-13) 24-5 in the first quarter.

Slippery Rock regrouped following the opening 10 minutes and played even with the Golden Knights over the final 30 minutes of regulation, but was unable to overcome the 19-point lead GU established in the first quarter.

Background: Steel Valley has not had as much success as many expected, but the Ironmen (10-10) are playoff bound and could be a very tough out in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs due to the presence of Fletcher, one of the top post players in the class. A 6-foot-5 junior, Fletcher is a load to deal with for opposing defenders. He's averaging 19 points and 17 rebounds a game for the Ironmen, who are in fourth place in Section 3. He scored 31 points in last Friday's 63-40 win at South Allegheny. Fletcher was named all-section his sophomore season when he averaged 18 points per game.